I was invited to Paris to be keynote speaker next year for International Women’s Day.

Such an honor, period!

I could already see myself with my bags packed, my passport in one hand, and my husband’s hand in the other. Still, I had to ask myself three legitimate questions: What is the investment? What is the return? And how does this position and enhance my brand?

• What will this cost me? Not just the plane tickets, hotel, meals, and transportation, but the time away, preparation, wardrobe, and everything else to make the trip happen. Not to mention, while there, Disneyland Paris is a MUST because I am a Disney LOVER!

• How will I benefit from it? Is there an honorarium? New relationships? Media exposure? Future speaking opportunities? Access to an international audience? One of my prayers whenever I speak is that God would allow something I say to reach at least one person. If that happens, I feel accomplished.
• How does this enhance my brand? Does speaking in Paris truly position me as an international speaker? Does it strengthen my credibility around grief, healing, relationships, empowerment? I’m sure my husband would be able to take a few good pictures and videos.
• What happens after Paris? How will I leverage the opportunity once I’m home? I honestly don’t have a clue.

My conclusion… Paris doesn’t have to pay for itself immediately to be valuable. Some investments create an immediate financial return; others create credibility, relationships, visibility, and positioning that pay off later. The bonus is that it could be a vacation destination for my TEA and I.

Paris fits into a larger strategy for the woman, speaker, author, and brand I’m building. It becomes; “I am an internationally recognized speaker who brings conversations about grief, healing, relationships, and purpose to audiences beyond the States.” Now, that is a much bigger brand story.

Cue the music… first song that came to mind was Kanye West-People in Paris. But umm let’s try, Taylor swift-Paris.

As the song played in my head, “This ish weird, We ain’t even ‘posed to be here”, We Are Going to Paris, France.  I’m thinking that it’s another stamp in our passport with an international trip as a couple with our love on display, it will be my first time visiting Disneyland Paris, and oh yea, I’ll be speaking while getting a few photo opps. It’s a WIN for me.

Not every good opportunity is automatically the right opportunity.

Sometimes we get so excited about an opportunity that we feel obligated to say yes. Asking questions like “What will this cost me? What will I gain? How does this support where I’m going?” isn’t doubt, it’s wisdom.

The takeaway…..

Before saying yes to an opportunity, ask whether it aligns with your purpose, your priorities, and the future you’re building.

For me, I’m learning that saying yes to purpose doesn’t mean saying yes without a plan. Sometimes faith opens the door, but wisdom makes you stop and ask, ‘Is this the right door for me Right Now?

Not now doesn’t mean not ever. Sometimes the answer isn’t no; it’s simply not yet. We have to learn to recognize that timing matters just as much as opportunity. Saying no, or even pressing pause, doesn’t mean the door is closed forever. It may mean you’re giving yourself time to prepare, evaluate, grow, or wait for the right moment.